28/02/2026
A government amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill has now secured wide cross-party backing in the House of Lords, paving the way for sound moderators and flash suppressors to be removed from the definition of Section 1 fi****ms under the Fi****ms Act 1968. The measure, introduced at Report Stage on 25 February 2026, implements the government’s stated intention to remove these inert accessories from fi****ms licensing controls, reflecting long-standing proposals supported across the shooting sector.
Peers agreed that easing the regulatory burden around these accessories is a practical step that will help cut unnecessary paperwork for overstretched police fi****ms licensing teams and allow lawful shooters to acquire and dispose of sound moderators without the costly and time-consuming variation process. Importantly, public-safety protections will remain in place: it will continue to be an offence to possess a sound moderator or flash suppressor for a Section 1 firearm without holding a valid firearm or shotgun certificate, and existing safeguards under the Act will continue to apply.
Livia Brynin said:
“This is a sensible and proportionate step. Sound moderators are safety accessories that protect hearing and reduce disturbance and treating them as if they were fi****ms has never reflected practical reality. Removing unnecessary variation requirements will also ease pressure on already stretched fi****ms licensing teams, allowing police to focus on the areas that genuinely impact public safety. It is a pragmatic reform that modernises the system while maintaining proper safeguards.”
The amendment reflects the Government’s intention to modernise fi****ms law by removing items that are not, in themselves, dangerous. Once enacted, it is expected to provide relief to licensing departments and reduce avoidable delays for certificate holders. The exact commencement date will be set by the Home Secretary, with the Bill scheduled to complete its passage before the King’s Speech in mid-May 2026. Until the new provisions are formally commenced, sound moderators and flash suppressors continue to be treated as Section 1 fi****ms under current law.